16-year-old Joseph Addis, who is charged with murdering his stepfather with a samurai sword on November 23, will likely be released on bail to the home of his grandparents in the Preserve gated community following a Wednesday hearing.

The house where he will be held under 24/7 supervision of his grandmother is the same place he is accused of stabbing his step-father Christopher Allen, 36, a single time with the rusty, old sword following a family argument. Marcie Allen, the wife of Christopher and mother of Addis, told detectives that the stabbing occurred following a family fight where the older Allen had tried to slap the juvenile. The mother said during a cell phone conversation in front of a deputy that Allen had regularly been abusive.

Judge Brenda Weaver indicated that she would grant bail unless something unexpected came up in psychological exams from Addis’ in-take at the Youth Detention Center in Dalton, or in a conversation the judge requested with the psychologist if the report is not available.

Judge Weaver announced her intention following a lengthy and at times tense hearing Wednesday where the victim’s mother testified along with Addis’ grandparents.

The witnesses all described Addis as extremely withdrawn and in need of counseling. During the hearing it was also announced by the District Attorney’s office that they opposed any bail release where Ms. Allen and her son could “collaborate,” as they are looking at possible charges against Ms. Allen in the death of her husband. Read more in next week's print edition.

Comments

If the victim was so abusive, abusive to the point where his step son murdered him, then why did the mother not remove her child from this situation? I`m interested in the information that comes from the trial. Something is missing from the story. [Editor's Note: this was just a short update. There will be a great deal of information in our full story in Wednesday's print/e editions.]

This was a troubled family. [deleted]. There is a lot more to this story, but it was no surprise that Joseph got tired of taking the physical, verbal, and emotional abuse [editor's note: we are being fairly cautious about posting information that hasn't been publicly stated in court yet].